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Poster:
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grendelschoice |
Date:
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May 18, 2007 07:29:27am |
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Forum:
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GratefulDead
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Subject:
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Re: The Dead vs Gangsta Rap |
Well, Bryan, I actually agree with you for the most part.
I'm always wishing rap would embrace a more serious political or social consciousness (and some of it does...the early Public Enemy stuff and some others actually have something to say, and the genre itself is so perfect for expressing important thoughts;
I mean, you could argue that Dylan was one of the earliest rappers when you listen to "Subterranean Homesick Blues"--that stream of consciousness approach to lyrics, fast-paced rhyming schemes, etc.)...which is why the bling-bling, look-at-me-i'm-so-badass-I gotta-glock-gonna-pop-a-bitch approach to much of what makes up the most popular rap is a shame--b/c it's a missed opportunity, really.
It's also a farce b/c all that hardcore stuff gets eaten up by white suburban kids w/a wanna-be-gangsta complex.
Which brings me to this hilarious satirical video that some high school kids in my state of Vermont made recently and put on You Tube. Total tongue in cheek, and a really funny take on rap "Green Mountain Style"
Check it out:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GL7uW4TYqbs
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Poster:
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BryanE |
Date:
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May 18, 2007 08:40:07am |
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Forum:
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GratefulDead
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Subject:
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Re: The Dead vs Gangsta Rap |
I'll have to give it a look when I get home from work.
Astute observation there about Subterranean Homesick Blues. But I'm still at a loss as to being able to draw what I feel is a relevant parallel between rap and Grateful Dead music. Like I said earlier, doing so seems like making a big
stretch. The closest thing that I can discern that really makes any sense to me would be one of those versions of Shakedown Street where they do the final chorus in a round: "Don't tell me this townDon't tell me this townDon't tell me this town ain't got no heart . . . "
I definitely agree with you about how silly it looks for suburban white boys trying to pull it off. It's the visual equivalent of fingernails on a chalkboard. And if I'm seen as a rascist in reverse for feeling that way, so be it.
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